Tag Archives: music

I’ve been a fan of James Tealy since the first time I met him in Denver, CO in the summer of 2004 (back when he was James Thiele!). I spent a summer learning from him as he taught about the mission of God to students at an M-Fuge camp. We hiked around Rocky Mountain National park and talked about life and faith. He is a talented communicator and a more talented musician.

Over the years I’ve followed his music career with great joy. His newest album, “Only Love” (featuring The Citizens Oath) is of particular interest to me. It is no secret that CCM lost its appeal to me back in college. However, there are a growing number of musicians and bands that write quality music that embraces all aspects of life. As such, the songs touch on themes of love, faith, adventure, and more. I place a much higher value on creativity and authenticity than polish contents that fit in a pre-packaged genre.

Only Love is definitely the kind of album that you’ll put on repeat. You’ll feel the tug toward adventure in songs such as “Before This Moment Dies.” A track like “In Jesus” provides a somber moment to reflect on your faith and “The Language of Our Heart” has the overtones of eternity woven throughout. The entire album has the tone of honesty and sincerity that I’ve come to love about James’ music. The folksy pop sound makes it easy to listen to and you’ll be surprised by the musical twists and turns.

I’ve been a fan of Andrew Peterson for a while now. His newest release (Counting Stars) was released today. My favorite song is the gospel-saturated tune “Dancing in the Minefields.” It is a song about commitment, marriage, and Christ-like love.

As such, I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife, Whitney.

It’s harder than we dreamed, but I believe that’s what the promise is for…

And we bear the light of the Son of Man, so there’s nothing left to fear. So I’ll walk with you in the shadowlands, until the shadows disappear. ‘Cause He promised not to leave us, and His promises are true. So in the face of all this chaos, maybe I can dance with you.

I have been a serious fan of James Tealy since I worked alongside him in ministry during the Summer of 2004 (back when he was still James Thiele). We were on a M-Fuge team that helped students learn about God and minister in the city of Denver. James proved to be one of the most talented men I have ever been around. He is a gifted speaker and a talented musician. Above all, he has a great heart for the mission of God among the nations. His heart will not be missed on this new album, Open Hands.

I also picked up (i.e., downloaded digitally from Amazon.com) a copy of Matt Papa’s newest Scripture Songs and Hymns. It is always refreshing to find Scripture songs performed in an honest and artistic way. I find Papa’s music to be saturated with the truths of Scripture without falling into the usual CCM clichés.

Another artist that is quickly rising the ranks of my musical tastes is Deas Vail. There newest album (Birds & Cages) is worth a listen. They recently toured with Owl City and have thoughtful lyrics with diverse and whimsical music. A few of the songs have the feeling of a soundtrack for a smash hit independent film.

Gungor has been kind enough to supply me with a few copies of their newest release Beautiful Things to give away on this blog. There are several ways to enter the contest (one entry per method – comment, subscribe, or tweet – can be entered). To enter the giveaway you may 1) leave a comment on this blog with a valid e-mail address, (2) subscribe to this blog via the e-mail subscription button in the column on the right, or (3) include #GungorGiveaway in a“tweet.” The winners will be announced on this blog and will be contacted on June 14.

The album Beautiful Things by the more t-shirt friendly glossed “Gungor” (formerly “The Michael Gungor Band”) has been a genuine bright spot in the often trite and contrived “Christian” music market (notice I didn’t say “genre” as there are only Christian topics/lyrics and not Christian music/melodies).

One of the things I find fascinating about the album Beautiful Things is the range of musical style; this album is an eclectic mix. Classically inspired guitar solos morph into genuine Hard Rock anthems (“Dry Bones”). “Heaven” is introduced by a funk-styled bass run mixed with the gospel vocals. “Brighter Day” will convince you that you picked up a vintage Switchfoot album. Some tracks hint of Iron and Wine’s folk style (“Please Be My Strength”) or the experimentation of Arcade Fire (“We Will Run”) while others feel more like “church songs.” All of them, however, come across with honest artistry. The title track most clearly evidences the poetry, ability, and breadth of style that Gungor possesses. This album provides opportunities to shout and to weep, to sing and to be silent, to dance and to meditate. Gungor manifests genuine artistic freedom to make beautiful music that stands on its own without feeling an obligation to cater to a particular style, genre, or audience.

I recently spoke to Michael Gungor about music, art, Christianity, and community. He felt it important to play honest, creative, and organic music.

Sometimes part of our downfall in Christian is that the message becomes of such central importance (which of course the message is important) that the music becomes secondary to the point where it almost becomes propaganda, something to carry a message. I think there’s something sacred about art itself.

Throughout the album you hear an honest description of the Band’s journey. Beautiful Things could be described as a “journal entry from [Gungor’s] first two years living in Denver.” The song “We Will Run to You” was written for their faith community (Bloom Church) in Denver as they were struggling to express the need for repentance. As you listen to Michael Gungor, you hear the growth and change that has come with the move to Denver and the organic creation of a new church.

When asked how such deeply Scriptural pleadings with God can be used to reach out to non-Christians, Gungor explains how honest art and the human need to worship God come together.

[Our music is] definitely church music and most of it is written to God. There is something about [a song written to God] that unbelievers are drawn to, when it is done in a pure and honest way, when it is not manipulative.

As a Christian, when I hear Gungor I hear “praise” music as it should be: honest, artistic, Scriptural, and confessional. Within this CD you can marvel at the beauty of the creative process and, in turn, the beauty of the creator.

Gungor has been kind enough to supply me with a few copies of their newest release Beautiful Things to give away on this blog. There are several ways to enter the contest (one entry per method – comment, subscribe, or tweet – can be entered). To enter the giveaway you may 1) leave a comment on this blog with a valid e-mail address, (2) subscribe to this blog via the e-mail subscription button in the column on the right, or (3) include #GungorGiveaway in a“tweet.” The winners will be announced on this blog and will be contacted on June 14.

I am rarely impressed by the musical depth of a band that sings almost exclusively “Christian” music. Gungor’s music, however, has all of the range and experimentation of an Arcade Fire while managing simple folk interludes and classical guitar flourishes. I was pleased to find variety and meaning with Scripturally deep and redemptive songs. Michael Gungor and his bandmates manage to explore moving and creative musical and lyrical content while avoiding any hint of kitschy or trivial “contemporary Christian music.”

As some of you may know from previous posts or personal knowledge that my dad is a pastor at a church working mainly in the area of music ministry. I liked the way Neue magazine humorously explained music ministry in an article titled “Low Pay, High Stress: Why Church Jobs Are Some of the Worst Jobs.”

Payscale.com recently named the 15 most stressful jobs — that also pay badly. The results came from a survey they did in which 36,000 people ranked their jobs based on the quality of life the job gives them.

Number five on the list was “Music Ministry Director.” (This is where everyone who isn’t in music ministry gasps because we thought all you had to do was pick some songs and sing well. Sorry for not realizing your job was harder and paid less than “Gym Membership Manager.”)…